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Providing Structural Repairs for Basements in Ottawa
Capital Foundation & Waterproofing Ltd. can provide structural repairs to your foundation.
Capital Foundation & Waterproofing Ltd. can provide structural repairs to your foundation. Structural damage is any damage that affects the core structure of the building, including the foundation, walls, and load-bearing walls. If the structure is damaged, it may not be able to support the building for long. Structural repairs have to be done as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Whether you see a water leak or noticed structural issues in your home, you'll need to get a team of experts to assess the damage. From start to finish, Capital Foundation & Waterproofing Ltd. is qualified to perform all repairs and rebuilds in Ottawa and surrounding areas. Get in touch with us for a consultation and a free estimate.
Our Structural Repair Services
Before deciding on a repair method, we examine mouldings, trim boards and mortar joints to determine whether your foundation will require structural repairs. We provide three main structural repair services in Ottawa:
Foundation jacking
Foundation underpinning
Foundation wall replacement
Foundation Jacking
If your foundation is sinking, it was likely installed on poorly compacted dirt, which then began sinking with the weight of the foundation on top of it. Jacking corrects a slab's position and prevents you from having to replace the whole concrete slab. Instead, we simply float the slab back to its original position by pumping additives beneath the slab. This method causes little or no disruption to landscaping — nothing needs to be moved off the slab — and typically costs half as much as replacing a slab.
Foundation Underpinning
Foundation underpinning is the process of strengthening the existing foundation by extending its depth so it rests on more supportive soil, or its load is distributed across a broader area. A building typically needs underpinning when cracks are wider than ¼ inch, and there are signs of a faulty foundation. The most common underpinning method is the mass pour method, where sections are excavated in sequence to a pre-established depth below the footing, and extra concrete is placed in each pit.
Foundation Wall Replacement
Sometimes a repair isn't sufficient to solve your foundation problem. You may have significant damage to your walls. You may also have old walls that were built with inferior materials and methods, and they now lack the structural integrity needed to hold your house up. If your walls are deteriorating, we usually recommend replacement. We ensure each wall replacement project goes smoothly and quickly to minimize disruption to your home. The process includes:
Building a temporary framework to support the beams and floor joists that are held up by the wall that needs to be replaced
Removing soil from around the foundation
Dismantling the old wall and footings (if your foundation has footings)
Putting up the new wall, tying each course of concrete blocks into existing adjacent walls
Dismantling the temporary supports
Causes of Damage to the Home Structure
Structural damage to a house is often caused by water. Any building may have structural damage if the roof or any load-bearing wall has been compromised, as a result of either a water leak, an intense storm with high winds, flooding or other natural disasters.
Signs of Damage that Require Structural Repairs
Most structural damage is obvious. Visual inspection is the best way to initially find it. Here are some of the things to look out for:
Foundation
Look for large vertical cracks in the foundation walls both inside and outside the home. Large horizontal cracks may indicate that the home is sliding off its footings.
Roof and Walls
The main cause of structural damage to roofs and load-bearing walls is shifting. Check the roofline to check whether it slants at either end or droops in the middle.
Rotting Wood
Stab the wood with a screwdriver to check wood joists for insect damage or rot. If the wood is soft or crumbly, there most likely is a structural problem.
Signs of Structural Damage in the Interior
Doors or windows don’t close or open properly
Uneven gaps around windows and doors
Cracks in the drywall or plaster around door frames
Cracks in basement walls
Bowing of walls
Gaps between walls and floors
Uneven or slanting floors
Wet insulation
Wet electrical circuits
Signs of Structural Damage in the Exterior
Cracks in foundation walls
Cracks in stairs, brick or stonework, and mortar joints
Cracks in window glass
Gaps between the stairs or porch and the home
Gaps in the door or window frames
Leaning chimney
Reach out to Us
If you have noticed any signs of structural damage in your home or business, or if you are looking to purchase the home or business, you want to have the professional team of Capital Foundation & Waterproofing Ltd. review the structure to know if its integrity is at risk.
We can advise you on whether you need a full replacement, or if your foundation problem can be solved with a repair. For more information on our structural repair services in Ottawa, get in touch with us today.